For Andrew C., the journey to becoming a registered nurse has been years in the making but well worth the wait.
Initially an information technology specialist in the U.S. Army, his passion for healthcare was sparked during a Combat Lifesaver course before deployment to Afghanistan. That training in emergency medical response ignited an interest that would eventually lead him to nursing school.
"The military realized very early on in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars that we were losing a lot of soldiers to injuries that could have been preventable," he said. "That course really kind of sparked my interest in the medical field."
After earning his licensed vocational nurse certification in 2016, he knew that becoming a registered nurse was the goal. However, life, work, and time constraints initially delayed his pursuit of an associate degree in nursing.
"I didn’t think it would take me this long to pursue an ADN program and do it, but here we are at the end of that result," he said.
The decision to enroll at American Career College was driven by the college’s accelerated ADN program, which allowed him to complete prerequisites alongside core nursing courses. The support from ACC’s faculty and hands-on clinical experiences have been instrumental in his success.
Andrew credits ACC-Ontario for providing him with the structure and support needed to achieve his dream. The program’s manageable schedule has allowed him to balance life, work, and studies.
“The ADN program has been much more manageable in terms of figuring everything out,” he explained. “I’ve really enjoyed the classmates in my cohort. We’ve had a lot of great laughs and memories,” he said.
Beyond academics, Andrew has cherished the relationships he’s built at ACC-Ontario. He also values the hands-on experiences, particularly in critical care settings.
"The instructors have made themselves available to educate us and teach us," he explained. "They come with a lot of good hands-on clinical experience from their own nursing careers that they’ve been able to instill in us."
6 Questions: ACC-Ontario ADN Student Andrew C.
Why did you choose ADN over VN or BSN?
“I was already an LVN, and I wanted to advance to an RN as efficiently as possible. The ADN program at ACC allowed me to complete everything in one structured program, without needing to take separate prerequisites beforehand.”
What has the experience been like?
“I’ve really enjoyed my time at ACC, especially the friendships I’ve built with my cohort. The clinical experiences have been incredible — especially working in the ICU and emergency room. I was surprised when the ER nurses said, "No, we want you to do everything." That hands-on experience was invaluable.”
What support do you receive from the campus?
“ACC has been very supportive, both academically and personally. The faculty has provided the tools and resources to succeed. They’ve always been available to answer questions and share real-world insights from their own careers.”
Why ACC?
“I looked at several schools, but ACC stood out because of its accelerated structure. It’s one of the few programs in the Inland Empire where you can complete prerequisites and nursing coursework simultaneously. That was a huge plus for me.”
Favorite things about nursing?
“I love the flexibility of the profession. Nursing allows you to scale up or down depending on your needs. If I want to work extra hours to take a trip to Hawaii, I can pick up more shifts. If I need to slow down, I can do that too. It’s a career that truly adapts to your life.”
Tips for success?
"Just be flexible. Nursing school is tough, but it’s temporary. Stay focused, adapt to the challenges, and remember why you started this journey."
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